Obama praises Italian leader for ‘bold’ leadership

Published 4:27 pm, Tuesday, October 18, 2016

President Obama (right), first lady Michelle Obama, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini, wave from a White House balcony.

President Obama (right), first lady Michelle Obama, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini, wave from a White House balcony.

Photo: JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty Images

Obama praises Italian leader for ‘bold’ leadership

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WASHINGTON — Seeking to boost a close ally, President Obama threw his support Tuesday behind efforts that Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is taking to overhaul that country’s political system and enhance its economy, saying that Renzi’s “bold” and “progressive” leadership was exactly what Europe needs at a time of crisis and soul-searching.

Obama invited Renzi to the White House for the final official visit and state dinner of his presidency, telling hundreds of spectators at the arrival ceremony that “we saved the best for last.”

Throughout Tuesday’s events, the two leaders recited a long list of issues on which they agree. They want to speed economic growth through investments in infrastructure and to move forward with a sweeping trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union. They also spoke of the importance of strengthening the NATO alliance and the need to maintain sanctions against Russia in place until that nation and Ukraine implement commitments under a cease-fire agreement brokered early last year.

Beyond action on specific issues, Obama clearly sought to use the symbolism behind Tuesday’s visit to show support for a leader that Obama views as one of the most promising young politicians in Europe. The star treatment came just a few weeks before voters in Italy take up a governing referendum that Renzi has spearheaded. He has said he would resign if voters reject it.

While Renzi declined to directly answer whether he would follow through on that statement if the referendum is voted down, Obama did and said, “I am rooting for success, but I think you should hang around for a while no matter what.”

Obama kicked the White House apparatus into high gear. The sound of herald trumpets and a full dose of pomp and pageantry on the South Lawn were orchestrated to welcome Renzi, one of the few world leaders to receive such a reception from the White House.

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After each leader spoke, they hugged briefly and patted each other on the back.

“I mean, look at him,” Obama gushed. “He’s young, handsome. He’s put forth a vision of progress that’s not rooted in people’s fears, but rather in their hopes. “

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